Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[Richprins]

Sounds new, nana? This last one not interpol!

[Lisbeth]

"washing money" is fine Nan

[Toko]

Here the article: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/ ... n-tanzania

Interpol arrests businessman Feisal Ali Mohamed over ivory trafficking
By Cyrus Ombati

Updated Tuesday, December 23rd 2014 at 12:11 GMT +3

The Interpol has arrested Kenyan businessman Feisal Ali Mohamed over trafficking of ivory. Mohamed was tracked down to Tanzania following a warrant of arrest issued against him in October 2014. The organisation had posted Mohamed’s picture and details on its website saying he is wanted for dealing with ivory. “He is wanted for dealing in wildlife trophies contrary to section 84(1) as read with section 92 of the wildlife conservation and management Act No. of 2014 laws of Kenya,” reads part of the information. The information indicated Mohamed is 46 and is supposed to serve a sentence. He was put on the organisation’s wanted list after he failed to honour court summons issued on June 11 According to police, Mohamed is the leader of an international poaching syndicate in East Africa. Mohammed has been linked to the three tones of ivory found in Tudor, Mombasa, in June 2013. Head of Interpol in Nairobi Vitalis Okumu confirmed the arrest saying his officers nabbed Mohamed in a house in Dar es Salaam on Monday night. “The officers from Nairobi are with their counterpats in Tanzania conducting further search in his house. He is in custody,” he said.

[Moggiedog]

Bail granted to the following people in the Pretoria high court today:


Trudi Ras R15000.00 , Arno Steyn and Willie Van Jaarsveldt R10000.00 in the Pretoria High court today

Christmas Eve bail granted to :
Willie Oosthuizen - R20000.00 and Magagula R5000.00

Wilkinson went direct to the Apellate court in Bloem and was granted bail. R110,000.00

[Toko]

[Lisbeth]

Ridiculous amounts

[Toko]

Now in the media:

http://www.news24.com/Green/News/3-rhin ... l-20141230

Three of the 10 alleged members of a rhino poaching syndicate accused of killing 22 rhino over several years were granted bail in the North Gauteng High Court

Six of the 10 were previously granted bail.

[Richprins]

The interesting thing is that the previous court denied them bail, and they appealed. This is very significant. The bail amount is much higher than in the longer-term past, and at least a continuation of heavier penalties.

But not a good message, IMO!

[Richprins]

Two poachers were shot dead in Kruger yesterday morning. One escaped and poaching equipment was recovered!

[Moggiedog]

Hugo Ras syndicate case
8 of the accused got bail over the Christmas period, urgent applications were lodged for bail knowing that the Prosecutor in this case was on leave

Anton Ras (Hugo's brother) appealed his bail application in the High Court last week and was granted R100 000 bail.

Hugo Ras and Arno Smit ( Trudi's brother) remain in jail. Hugo Ras is applying for bail tomorrow in the Pretoria High court

Today in Pretoria
A few of the lawyers are withdrawing as attorneys of record for some of the accused.

Prosecutor Spies stated that on 13 Nov the matter was postponed to today to allow time for the Defense to either request further particulars or to enter pleas. This has not been done and is delaying matters. She stated she cannot approach the Judge President of the High Court until these issues are finalised. She said the accused are delaying by not sorting out these issues and she is ready to go to court.

Wilkinson's attorney requested changes to Wilkinson's bail application - this was denied - due to the conditions having been set in the high court as well as it being a schedule 5 offence - a judge would have to hear the application or it must be heard at a later date. 27th January scheduled for the hearing regarding bail conditions in the magistrates court.

The case will continue at the High Court in Pretoria on 29th Jan